Apparatus for making hollow concrete articles

ABSTRACT

A machine having a rotatable and vertically movable table which includes four tile molds of four tiles each ninety degrees apart around the periphery of the table. A concrete source is provided at molding stations 180* apart while ejecting means are provided at oppositely disposed stations 180* apart. The table is rotated back and forth between the molding and ejecting stations. While two sets of tile, four each, are being formed two sets of tile, four each, are being ejected. The forming of the tile and the ejecting occur simultaneously as the table is raised and lowered relative to vertically stationary packer heads at the molding station and vertically stationary ejecting means at the ejecting station. A moisture sensitive probe automatically controls the concrete supply to provide the desired quantity of concrete at the molding stations.

United States Patent Long, Sr

[4 1 May 16, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FOR MAKING HOLLOW CONCRETE ARTICLES [72] Inventor: Virgil L. Long, Sr, Jefferson, Iowa [73] Assignee: Mid-Iowa Concrete Products Co., Jefferson, lowa [22] Filed: May 14,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 37,122

Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-Dewalden W. Jones Attorney-Zarley, McKee & Thomte ABSIRACT A machine having a rotatable and vertically movable table which includes four tile molds of four tiles each ninety degrees apart around the periphery of the table. A concrete source is provided at molding stations 180 apart while ejecting means are provided at oppositely disposed stations 180 apart. The table is rotated back and forth between the molding and ejecting stations. While two sets of tile, four each, are being formed two sets of tile, four each, are being ejected. The forming of the tile and the ejecting occur simultaneously as the table is raised and lowered relative to vertically stationary packer heads at the molding station and vertically stationary ejecting means at the ejecting station. A moisture sensitive probe automatically controls the concrete supply to provide the desired quantity of concrete at the molding stations.

9 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMY 16 :972 v 3, 662,437

SHEET 2 OF 6 APPARATUS FOR MAKING HOLLOW CONCRETE ARTICLES l-leretofore the making of concrete tile has been slow, tedious, inefficient and costly. The machine of this invention is substantially automatic in its operation and will mold eight tile, four on each side, while eight additional tile are being ejected from molds, four on each side.

The molding operation occurs when the table carrying the molds moves downwardly, largely due to its own weight, against the action of the vertically stationary rotating packer heads which shape the concrete tile. The adjacent completed tile are ejected as the table moves upwardly against the action of vertically stationary ejecting members. Thus all four sets of molds are in operation at all times, thereby eliminating all idle time.

The only rotational movement required of the table carrying the molds is movement through a 90 arc from the molding station to the ejecting station and then back again. Of course, this same operation occurs for the two sets of molds on the opposite side as they will move back and forth between the molding and ejecting stations.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplates are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of this invention with the table in the up position.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the table in the lowered position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3 3 in FIG. 1 showing the packer head drive system.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4 4 in FIG. 3. 7

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5 5 in F IG. 1 showing the scraper motor drive system.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 66 in FIG. 2 showing the table drive system.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7 7 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the table in its lowered position.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9 9 in FIG. 6 and showing the table connections to the vertical guide posts and table support main frame.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10 10in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view taken along line 11 11 in FIG. 6 and showing the hydraulic table motor drive system.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view taken along line 12 12 in FIG. 2 and showing the locking arrangement between the table support top half and table support bottom half locking therebetween the table support main frame.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13 13in FIG. 6 showing the air pin lock cylinder for locking the table against rotation.

FIG. 14 is a reduced in scale front elevational view showing the location of micro switches and actuating elements carried on the vertically movable table.

FIG. 15 is an electrical schematic for the apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a hydraulic schematic for the apparatus; and

FIG. 17 is a pneumatic schematic for the apparatus.

The machine for making hollow concrete tile or the like of this invention is referred to generally in FIG. 1 by the reference numeral 10 and is best seen in FIG. 6 to include a center table support main frame 12 vertically movable only on four guide posts 14. An outer circular table portion 16 is vertically movable with the table support main frame 12 but also is rotatable relative thereto. Four sets of concrete mold fonns 18 including four individual molds 20 each extend radially outwardly from the outer circular table portion 16.

The connection between the table support main frame 12 and the outer circular table portion 16 is best seen in FIGS. 6, 9 and 10 wherein a series of horizontally and vertically disposed rollers 20 and 22, respectively, are carried on the outer circular table portion I6 for engagement with the table support frame 12. It is seen in FIG. 6 that these rollers bridge an annular space 24 between the table portions 12 and I6 and effectively maintain the table portions stable relative to each other. The drive for rotating the outer circular table portion 16 is best seen in FIG. 11 wherein a hydraulic motor 26 is carried on the table support main frame 12 and through a drive sprocket 28 engages a sprocket chain 30 extending along a downwardly depending flange 32 carried on a web 34 extending horizontally inwardly from a band 36 comprising the outer circular table portion 16.

The connection between the guide post 14 and the table support main frame 12 is seen in FIG. 9 to include a bearing sleeve 38 integral with the table support main frame 12 and enclosing bearings 39 engaging the guide post 14. The posts 14 are kept clean by expandable enclosure material 40.

The mold forms 18 all being similar in construction are best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein a pair of outwardly extending channel members 42 are interconnected at their inner ends by a plate 44 bolted to the band 36 of the outer circular table portion 16. A support plate 46 extends between the outer ends of the channels 42 and includes the four individual tile forms 20.

The concrete making system includes two molding stations 48 diametrically opposite each other as seen in FIG. 6 along with two completed concrete article ejecting stations 50 which are also diametrically opposite each other. The molding stations 48 are fed concrete 51 from an overhead concrete supply source 52 through concrete chutes 54 which in turn feed the concrete onto inwardly moving conveyors 56 oppositely disposed from each other. The conveyors 56 have motor drives 58 and feed the concrete into reservoirs 60 integral with a top table support member 62 vertically movable on the guide posts 14 (FIG. 12). A table support bottom half 64 which is also vertically movable only on the guide posts 14 cooperates with the top table support half 62 to prepare the individual mold forms 20 for the molding operation. It is seen that the hydraulic cylinder 66 secured to the table support bottom half 64 operates an. upstanding lever 68 pivotally connected to a brace 70 intermediate its ends with its upper end being adapted to lockingly engage a bearing plate 72 to sandwich the molds 20 between the top and bottom table support halves 62 and 64. A tapered surface 74 is provided on the plate 72 for engagement by a roller 76 carried on the upper end of the upstanding member 68.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 13 it is seen how the table is raised and lowered. A hydraulic cylinder 76 having a piston rod 78 is supported on the floor 80 and engages the bottom table support half 64.

It is also seen in FIG. 13 that wear plates 80 are provided at the top and bottom of the molds 20 for engagement with the top and bottom table support halves 62 and 64.

The finished product produced by this machine includes hollow concrete tile-like articles 82 which are formed by packer heads 84 (FIG. 7) carried at the bottom of packer shafts 86 extending upwardly through each tile form 20, the reservoir 60 to a drive connection with a packer head motor 88 as seen in FIG. 3. There are two packer head motors 88 which each drive for packer head shafts 86 through a first drive belt 90 connected to a sheave 92 on a shaft 94 in turn connected through a pair of drive chains or belts 96 to gears 98 on the inner packer shafts 86. The outer packer shafts 86 are provided with gears 100 which engage the gears 98 on the inner packer shafts 86.

It is also seen in FIG. 7 that a moisture sensitive depth probe 102 extends along side one of the packer shafts 86. Upon the concrete 51 rising to touch the lower end of the probe 102 a circuit is opened operating the conveyors 56 thereby shutting off the flow of concrete 51 into the concrete reservoir 60 in turn feeding the individual concrete molds 20. As seen in FIG. 8 the probe 102 is enclosed in a rubber tube 104 to protect it from damage from the concrete.

It is further seen in FIG. 7 that the packer heads 84 close the bottom of the individual tile molds 20 while the molds are being filled approximately one-third full. When the table is lowered the packer heads are turning and shape the hollow concrete tiles 82 as well as distribute the concrete 51 throughout the full height of the concrete tile forms 20 as best seen in FIG. 8.

The reservoir 60 is kept clean by individual scraper elements 106 on the lower ends of scraper shafts 108 which in turn are rigidly secured to a drive scraper sleeve 110. Gear teeth 112 are provided on the outer periphery of the sleeve 110 for engagement with a drive chain 114 which passes over an idler sprocket 116 and around a gear 118 on a scraper drive motor 120 as best seen in FIG. 5. Referring again to FIG. 7, it is seen that guide rollers 122 move in races 124 at the top and bottom ends of the scraper sleeves 110 to maintain them stable.

The ejection of the finished hollow concrete articles 82 from the individual molds 20 is best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 wherein stationary pusher elements 122 carried on the lower ends of pusher rods 124 engage the top end of the concrete tiles 82 upon the table 16 being raised to the position of FIG. 7 where it is seen that the tile 82 are ejected onto a pallet 126. The stationary pusher rods 124 are connected to an overhead support post 128.

In FIG. 6 it is seen that the outer circular table portion 16 rotates back and forth 90 degrees as indicated by the arrows 130 and 132 which extend between the molding station 48 and the ejecting station 50. A pair of lock pin holes 134 and 136 are formed in the web 34 to receive an pneumatically operated pin 136 as seen in FIG. 13. The pin 136 is carried on a piston rod 138 operated by an air cylinder 140 which is rigidly supported by the lower support table half 64.

The back and forth reciprocation of the outer table portion 16 is controlled by two micro switches, lLS and 2LS as seen in FIG. 6, adapted to engage a stop plate 142 carried on the channel portion 42.

The removal of the finished tile82 is accomplished by a conveyor 144 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 extending completely across the machine under the ejecting stations 50. A vertically movable pallet 126 is provided under each of the ejecting stations 50 to receive the finished concrete tile 82 and return them to the conveyor 144 for removal from the machine and onto a pallet 150 (FIG. 1) which feeds the eight finished tile onto an unloading conveyor 152. As the finished tile 82 move onto the pallet 150 a switch 81.8 is operated indicating that everything is clear under the concrete machine, i.e., the pa]- lets 126 are empty and ready to receive additional tile.

Thus the operation of the concrete making machine is initiated by the actuating of switch 8LS by the conveyor 144 moving the last load of tile onto the pallet 150 for removal by the conveyor 152. The electrical, hydraulic and air schematics are seen in FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 respectively while the location of eight limit switches operable by the up and down movement of the table 16 are shown in FIG. 14.

A stopand start switch 160 (FIG. is provided along with hydraulic, air and packer head switches 162, 164 and 166 respectively.

When the machine is in its starting position the tile forms are down (FIG. 2) and the indexing pin 136 (FIG. 13) is up locking the turntable in position. The packer heads 84 continue to operate throughout the operation of the machine but do not move up and down vertically. When the table down switch 9L5 is actuated the table begins to move upwardly by operation of the hydraulic cylinders 76. As the table nears the top of its travel the scrapers are started by actuation of the scraper switch 4LS whereby the scraper motors 120 are energized. Next, the conveyor switch 51.8 is operated starting the motors 58 driving the concrete filling conveyors 56. At this time the turntable and tile forms hit an up limit switch 11LS. The tile forms 20 are filled by the conveyors to the right amount indicated by the moisture sensitive probe 102 which then stops the conveyors by operation of the switch 160 built into the probe. The table is locked by the upward and lower support members 62 and 64 through the operation of the cylinder 66 which is controlled by the limit switches 3L8 and 41.8. As the table moves downwardly the tile are being formed by operation of the packer heads which are rotating. When the down cycle is complete the limit switch 2LS is actuated caus ing the table to turn counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 6 bringing a now emptied set of tile molds into registry with the molding station 48 while the completed tiles are moved to the unloading or rejection stations 50. At this time the up and down cycle is repeated thereby ejecting the completed tile and forming new tile and this time the turntable limit switch ILS is operated which causes the table to turn clockwise for degrees which starts the entire sequence over again.

It is also seen that each time the table moves down the limit switch 7LS is operated thereby starting the air fan (not shown) to dry the probe 102 so that it will be sensitive to contact with moist concrete the next time the table moves upwardly and the tile forms 20 are filled.

As seen in FIG. 16 the hydraulic system is powered by motor 170 driving a pump 172 which circulates oil through a check valve 174 and a reservoir 176. Accordingly, the tumtable valve 178 is operated to selectively operate the table motor 26. Similarly, the up and down table valve 180 is appropriately operated to operate the cylinder 76. The locking of the table support top and bottom halves 62 and 64 to the outer circular table portion 16 as seen in FIG. 12, is accomplished through operation of the valve 182 which controls the cylinders 166.

The pneumatic air system as indicated in FIG. 17 is similar in including a motor 184 to drive a pump 186 which directs air through a valve 188 for drying the probe 102 as well as directing air to the valve 190 which operates the indexing lock cylinder 140.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for making molded articles comprising,

a stationary center table support frame having diametrically oppositely disposed vertically stationary ejector means and diametrically oppositely disposed vertically stationary packer heads thereby providing alternately disposed molding and ejecting stations, a rotatable and vertically movable table on said center table support frame, four molds on the periphery of said table uniformly radially spaced apart, and control means including power means for rotating said table in opposite directions 90 degrees between first and second stations, and moving said table vertically in opposite directions at said firstand second stations for said molds to alternately register with said ejector means and packer heads as said table is rotated back and forth between said first and second stations and raised and lowered at each of said first and second stations. 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein a material supply is provided at each of said molding stations for feeding said molds.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein a conveyor extends under said table and under each of said ejecting stations to receive completed molded articles from said molds and move them to a remote location.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said molding stations include a reservoir above said table and in communication with said material supply, and locking means for locking said molds on said table to said reservoir upon said table being moved to said up position. I

5. The structure of claim 1 wherein said control means includes a locking means for holding said table in each of said alternate positions of rotation.

6. The structure of claim 1 wherein each of said molds includes four chambers for forming a like number of hollow molded articles.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein power means is provided for rotating said packer heads to shape said article in said molds.

cally stationary scraper means are positioned adjacent said packer heads for cleaning the sidewalls of said reservoir, and

said reservoir being movable upwardly and downwardly with said table. 

1. An apparatus for making molded articles comprising, a stationary center table support frame having diametrically oppositely disposed vertically stationary ejector means and diametrically oppositely disposed vertically stationary packer heads thereby providing alternately diSposed molding and ejecting stations, a rotatable and vertically movable table on said center table support frame, four molds on the periphery of said table uniformly radially spaced apart, and control means including power means for rotating said table in opposite directions 90 degrees between first and second stations, and moving said table vertically in opposite directions at said first and second stations for said molds to alternately register with said ejector means and packer heads as said table is rotated back and forth between said first and second stations and raised and lowered at each of said first and second stations.
 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein a material supply is provided at each of said molding stations for feeding said molds.
 3. The structure of claim 2 wherein a conveyor extends under said table and under each of said ejecting stations to receive completed molded articles from said molds and move them to a remote location.
 4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said molding stations include a reservoir above said table and in communication with said material supply, and locking means for locking said molds on said table to said reservoir upon said table being moved to said up position.
 5. The structure of claim 1 wherein said control means includes a locking means for holding said table in each of said alternate positions of rotation.
 6. The structure of claim 1 wherein each of said molds includes four chambers for forming a like number of hollow molded articles.
 7. The structure of claim 1 wherein power means is provided for rotating said packer heads to shape said article in said molds.
 8. The structure of claim 2 wherein sensor elements are provided at each of said molding stations and are electrically connected to a control means operatively connected to said material supply for controlling the flow of material into said molds upon it reaching a predetermined height in said molds.
 9. The structure of claim 4 wherein powered rotatable vertically stationary scraper means are positioned adjacent said packer heads for cleaning the sidewalls of said reservoir, and said reservoir being movable upwardly and downwardly with said table. 